Understanding the Steps of a 12-step Recovery Program
Almost everyone knows about Alcoholics Anonymous, and that the centerpiece of addiction recovery program is made up of 12 steps. But how well do you know what each of the 12 steps is all about? The guide below introduces you to each of the steps in an AA program. Learning these steps will help you decide if the program is right for you, and help you better converse with those involved in the program. The 12 Steps.
- 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
- 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- 6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
- 8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
- 9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
- 11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His Will for us and the power to carry that out.
- 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
As you can see in the steps above, the program is all about giving yourself up to a higher power. In other words, once you realize that you have a problem, and that some elements of it are out of your control, you will be much better equipped to accept help and great treatment. It sounds scary, but that is where the element of community at AA meetings come into play. You are not alone – instead going through this journey with other people experiencing the same challenges.
Although 12 step programs are not for everyone, they do provide many people with the guidance and support structure needed to stay off of drugs. There are millions of AA members around the world, in almost every city or country on the map. The program has expanded to other addiction over time (Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, etc.) but always follow the same principals of the 12 steps.
At Michael's House, we provide the rehab programs you need to move forward with your life, and really use the 12 steps to their fullest. Once you leave Michael's House, you will have a new start, and AA or NA may be the best choice for helping you keep the commitments you have made to a drug or alcohol free life.
Contact Michael's House today for more information at 1-877-345-8494 .
